Musk meets with GOP senators at Capitol as he presses on with DOGE
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, recently met with dozens of GOP senators at the Capitol to discuss the progress of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During the meeting, Musk shared updates on how DOGE’s aggressive auditing of the federal government has been successful in slashing waste and saving around $4 million per day.
The meeting, which took place during a weekly lunch hosted by Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the Republican Senate Steering Committee, was attended by approximately 40 senators. Musk humorously remarked that finding waste, fraud, and abuse in the government doesn’t require the skills of a detective like Sherlock Holmes, as it is easier than many realize.
In response to a question about government funding for private universities, Musk commented on the propaganda tactics employed by elite universities, drawing a comparison to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The senators applauded Musk’s suggestion to “frankly delete” the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a law that has long been opposed by Republicans for its role in delaying infrastructure and energy projects.
NEPA requires extensive environmental research before projects can proceed, causing significant delays that Republicans argue hinder energy development in the U.S. Musk’s suggestion to scrap NEPA was met with approval from the senators, who are eager to streamline the process of energy production.
Despite facing criticism from Democrats for restructuring federal agencies, Musk spoke positively of federal workers during the meeting, noting that many are actively assisting in identifying fraud and waste in the government. He emphasized that employees are now motivated to help root out inefficiencies, as they have been “given permission to care.”
Notably absent from the lunch meeting were Sens. Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy. Their offices provided reasons for their absence, citing prior commitments and illness. Musk’s meeting with the Senate comes shortly after members of the DOGE caucus visited the White House to discuss government efficiency with the billionaire.
Overall, Musk’s insights and suggestions were well-received by the GOP senators, who are keen on cutting wasteful spending and streamlining government processes. The meeting highlighted the importance of efficiency and accountability in government, with Musk’s innovative approach to auditing resonating with the senators in attendance.
